The results of a recent USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) study show that cash grain marketing is still the primary strategy in the row crop sector, with only about 10% of corn and soybean farmers trading futures and options contracts. Those 10% utilized those futures strategies for around 40% of production, according to the study. Age is a big variable in the equation; the number of farmers employing more sophisticated risk management marketing strategies like futures and options went up to 25% for producers under age 35. And as expected, larger farms are more likely to use contracts. See more on the latest report.